Salgaocar crawl their way into semis

BENAULIM: Salgaocar Veterans defeated Ponda Veterans 4-2 in the tie-breaker to enter the semi-finals of the 18th VM Salgaocar Memorial Veterans soccer tournament organised by Prime Sports Club, being played at St John the Baptist Ground, Danddo Benaulim.

Ponda were the better side in the first half and Salgaocar Veterans had to thank their goalkeeper Bharat Morje for keeping their slate clean.

Ponda almost took lead in the 18th minute when Naresh Naik fired a right footer which got a slight touch of Bharat Morje’s hand and deflected off the crosspiece and again fell into Morje’s hand. Seven minutes later Bharat Morje turned around a free-kick from Vishant Pednekar for an abortive corner.

After resumption, Salgaocar put up an improved display but striker Prem Dias wasted an open chance when Ponda defender Nelson Landez and goalkeeper Rupesh Kamat created a misunderstanding for an aerial ball with both colliding.

Anthony Pereira had two scoring oppurtunities for Salgaocar but Andrew Teodosio and Prem Dias were wasted those chances.